After George Washington’s Christmas surprise at the Battle of Trenton, the Americans were feeling pretty good about themselves. They wanted more. Washington decided it was time to cross the Delaware river again and take Trenton and New Jersey for good.

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Battle of Trenton Recap

 George Washington boldly crossed the Delaware river on a freezing cold Christmas night in 1776. The next morning Washington’s Continental army routed 1400 Hessian soldiers who were stationed in Trenton, New Jersey.  Washington knew that he could not hold Trenton at that time because the majority of his troops had been unsuccessful crossing the river on Christmas night. He gathered much needed supplies and retreated back across the river before British and Hessian reinforcements arrived. The victory at Trenton on December 26, 1776 gave the American’s momentum and set the stage for the events that would take place over the...

Alexander Hamilton

One of the interesting things about America is that our founding fathers came from diverse backgrounds. 8 of the 56 signers of The Declaration of Independence were born outside of the colonies.  With that being said, the founders born in the colonies also had very different lives. Those from South Carolina would have had different ideas and experiences than those from New York.  Alexander Hamilton for example was born on the Caribbean island of Nevis.

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Alexander Hamilton was born on January 11th. But what year? That is up to debate. He was born in Nevis, British West Indies.  In 1765 his father, James Hamilton, abandoned his family. His mother, Rachel, opened a shop to support them and Alexander went to work as a clerk for successful merchants from New York. In 1768 Alexander’s mother, Rachel, passed away. This is where the discrepancy in the year of his birth comes...

General George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776. There is a famous painting depicting the scene.  But what led up to that moment and where was he going anyway?

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1776 had been a long year of fighting for the continental army. Morale was certainly at a low point after a string of defeats against the most powerful army in the world. General Washington knew that he needed something big in order to boost morale and increase recruitment. He devised a daring plan to sneak attack Hessian soldiers at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey. 

Ok, so who were the Hessians? I thought the Americans were fighting the British?

Hessians were German soldiers that had been hired by the British to supplement their own army.  A lot of times they are referred to as mercenaries but that's a little misleading because...

Happy Birthday Paul Revere

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Early Life

Paul Revere was born December 21st, 1734 or January 1st, 1735. Now, this date depends on if you are using a Julian Calendar, known as Old Style, or a Gregorian calendar, known as new style.  His father, Apollos Rivoire, a French Hugenot emigrated to America at the age of 13.  His mother, Deborah Hichborn, was the descendant of English Puritan settlers. Paul was the 3rd of 9 children and the oldest surviving male.  He apprenticed as a silversmith under his fathers tutelage until his father passed away when Paul was only 19. During the French and Indian War, for a short period, Paul was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Massachusetts artillery. After returning from the war he began his silversmithing career in earnest. 

Paul Revere Forensic Dentist

Paul Revere was also known as an...